Read Online His Seafaring Siren (Caledonia's Captives) by Lisa Adams - Free Book Online

I am sure that you are the reason.”
    “Perhaps he’s simply older.”
    “That could be part of it. But there’s something more.”
    Mowriyah pulled back and felt a tinge of sadness prick her heart. “But he loved you.”
    “Not like he loves you.”
    “You betrayed him.” Mowriyah could feel the emotional bubble in her mind expand. “You crushed him and his trust.”
    Phaedra hung her head. “I know. I’m truly sorry.” She lifted her gaze. “Please believe me. I don’t live a single day without regretting my betrayal.”
    Mowriyah stood, empowered by the raging batch of feelings that engulfed her. “Yet you had guards poised to take us in yesterday morning. You were willing to—”
    “No! I didn’t. I would have never.”
    “You said—”
    “I know I did, but I lied. There was never anyone. I was just so desperate. I would have never done that to Trivian!” Phaedra stood. “You have no idea what he means to me, what he’s done for me.”
    “And if he refused to leave this place, to leave his pet project for Hadrian?” Mowriyah leaned forward. “Would you be so desperate that you would leave your love behind?”
    Septimus burst into the room. “Mowriyah?” Trivian had emerged from his room as well and the four stood in the kitchen around the table. Mowriyah looked back and forth between the two men. She shot a piercing look at Phaedra then smiled wide. “I was just having some trouble sleeping.”
    “As was I. We were just getting to know each other.” She clutched Trivian’s arm. “Well, since we are all up, how about some food and we can start our planning early.”
    Septimus and Trivian looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
    Mowriyah grabbed Septimus’s arm, mocking Phaedra. “Yes, there’s a lot to do.”

Chapter Six
    Septimus watched his younger brother leave the house and realized that he was left to fend for himself in the company of these two women. He and Mowriyah would have to trust Phaedra to lead them in and out of the palace without being noticed. Her plan was sound, but he didn’t like not having control.
    The two women were dressing now, Phaedra in her normal Roman attire, Mowriyah in a simple brown tunic and skirt. He and Mowriyah would have to dress as commoners since they planned to act as Phaedra’s servants for the day.
    Mowriyah emerged from the bedroom, her hair loose and skimming her shoulders. Even with her drab attire he was in awe of her beauty. “How are you feeling?”
    She fidgeted with her clothing. “Fine, I suppose. What if someone were to recognize us? They may hardly remember me since I was only there for a day, but I’m quite sure someone could identify you.”
    Septimus rubbed his chin and felt the hair that had grown in the weeks since he had last shaved it at home. “Hopefully this will be a good enough disguise. Not once in all my years here has my facial hair been so long.”
    Phaedra entered the living room dressed in her best white toga with a gold belt that graced her waist. “Are you ready? We’ll go to Master Justious first. His order for the palace kitchen will be perfect.”
    Septimus eyed Mowriyah. “Ready?”
    Mowriyah nodded.
    Phaedra led them out into the streets and Septimus kept his eyes focused on his surroundings. Rome being a bustling city of thousands had its own advantages and Septimus was counting on using each one of those advantages to his benefit.
    Septimus glanced at Mowriyah, who was quiet as she fiddled with her clothing and hair. He was sure that a certain amount of terror lingered in her mind. The last time she was in the palace, she was there as a slave. The night she and her sisters had been captured, Mowriyah had managed to escape the palace. If they do recognize her, what will Hadrian do with her? His own beating from Hadrian came to mind and a sudden fear ensnared his heart.
    Collecting the food supplies from Master Justious went smoothly, but as they walked the streets toward the palace,